The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and relevant links.

Snow Cover from Space

Most of the "white" over South Dakota on this visible satellite image from GOES-12 on November 25, 2003, represents snow cover. The dark, serpentine imprint of the Missouri River, whose headwaters are in Montana, indicates a clear sky over much of South Dakota, although there are some clouds over the southwest, south-central and northeast parts of the state. Note the dark splotch over southwestern South Dakota. This "splotch" represents the Black Hills. Although the sky is mostly clear over the snow-covered Black Hills, forests of ponderosa pines have a much lower albedo than the surrounding snow-covered areas that have few trees.